Multi-caliber laser firing cartridge

ABSTRACT

A multi-caliber laser firing cartridge (10) for use with a variety of different caliber conventional firearms (100) wherein the cartridge (10) employs an adjustable position switch housing member (71) which may be movably deployed within the cartridge base unit (11) to accommodate varying firing pin &#34;throws&#34; within conventional firearms (100) such that the impact of the firing pin (102) on the cartridge (10) will generate and project a laser beam from the cartridge and through the barrel (104) of the firearm.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of light emitting cartridgesin general, an in particular to a laser firing cartridge which has arange of usage with a variety of calibers.

BACKGROUND ART

As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,241,458;1,795,401; 4,983,123; and 4,830,617; the prior art is replete withmyriad and diverse light emitting cartridges for use in both simulatedand real firearms.

While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more thanadequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have beenspecifically designed, these patented constructions all share one majordrawback in that their usage is restricted to a single specific caliber.

Furthermore, none of the above listed references are designed to emit afocused laser beam, which is a mandatory requirement in the specificenvironment in which the new cartridge construction that forms the basisof the present invention is intended to be employed (e.g. simulatedsituational law enforcement judgmental training apparatus).

In this environment the cartridge will be placed in the chamber of asemi-automatic weapon or into the cylinder of a revolver. When thetrigger of the weapon is engaged, the firing pin on the weapon strikesthe activator pin (micro-switch) of the casing charging the diode andemitting a low-level infrared light. This light is directed on to acomputer screen approximately the size of a room wall. Moving scenariosare projected onto the screen from a laser disc projector at a rate of30 frames per second. The screen is reflecting the infrared light to acamera interfacing with the computer. Since each frame of the videosequence has been "mapped" with the outline of the moving target personsilhouette, the computer correlates the shot to determine if it hasfallen within the range of the silhouette and in what bodily location ofthe silhouette. The position of the "hit" is then located on the imageon the screen.

As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed alongstanding need among law agencies both in this country and abroad fora new type of light emitting cartridge that can be used in the lawenforcement officers own firearm across a range of different caliber andtypes of handguns; and the provision of such a construction is a statedobjective of the present invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, the multi-caliber laser firing cartridge that forms thebasis of the present invention comprises in general a cartridge baseunit, a firing pin impact unit disposed within the cartridge unit, alaser generating unit associated with the cartridge unit and a switchunit a power source unit disposed within the cartridge unit intermediatethe firing pin impact unit and the laser generating unit.

In addition the laser firing cartridge is dimensioned such that a singlecartridge can be operatively and interchangeably deployed in 0.357caliber 0.38 caliber and 9 mm caliber handguns which are currently themost popular types of calibers favored by law enforcement officers.

As will be explained in greater detail further on in the specification,both the firing pin impact unit and the switch unit have been speciallydesigned to accommodate the different standard travel lengths betweenfiring pins in each of the aforementioned popular calibers to insurethat the firing pin impact unit will establish closing contact with theswitch unit regardless of the particular caliber weapon employed withinthe aforementioned range of calibers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other attributes of the invention will become more clear upona thorough study of the following description of the best mode forcarrying out the invention, particularly when reviewed in conjunctionwith the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isolated perspective view of the exterior of themulti-caliber laser firing cartridge that forms the basis of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the laser firing cartridge takenthrough line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isolated detail view of the switch unit;

FIG. 4 is an isolated detail view of the operative connection betweenthe power source unit and the laser generating unit;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the upper quadrant of thecartridge;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the operative engagement between the forwardspring element and the laser generating member;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the arrangement depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an isolated side view of the laser generating member;

FIG. 9 is a isolated rear view of the laser generating member; and,

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the cartridge deployed in itsintended environment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As can be seen by reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS.1 and 2, the multi-caliber laser firing cartridge that forms the basisof the present invention is designated generally by the referencenumeral(10). The laser firing cartridge (10) comprises in general: acartridge base unit (11) a firing pin impact unit (12) a switch unit(13) a power source unit (14) and a laser generating and focusing unit(15). These units will now be described in seriatim fashion.

As can best be seen by reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cartridge baseunit (11) comprises a generally hollow cylindrical electricallyconductive brass casing member (20) having a stepped shoulder internalbore designated generally as (21) which passes entirely through thecasing member (20) along its longitudinal axis. In addition the inboardend (22) of the casing member (20) forms a restricted throat opening(23) whose purpose and function will be explained presently.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the longitudinal bore (21) in thecartridge casing member (20) forms a first enlarged chamber (24)adjacent the restricted throat opening (23) within the casing member(20) wherein the throat opening (23) and the first enlarged threadedchamber (24) are dimensioned to receive the firing pin impact unit (12).The firing pin impact unit (12) comprises in general a non-conductivefiring pin impact member (40) having a reduced neck portion (41) whichis dimensioned to be slideably received in the restricted throat opening(23) of the casing member (20). In addition the firing pin impact member(40) is further provided with a peripheral flange (42) at the terminusof reduced neck portion (41) and has an enlarged central recess (43)formed on its outboard end; wherein the enlarged central recess (43) isdimensioned to receive a first spring biasing element (44) for reasonsthat will be described further on in the specification.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that the switch unit (13)comprises a switch member (50) disposed within a hollow switch housingmember (51) dimensioned to be received within the casing member (20) ina threaded fashion. The switch housing member (51) is further providedwith a central stepped shoulder bore having: a first stepped shoulder(52) which acts as a stop limit for the inward travel of the peripheralflange (42) of the firing pin impact member (40); a second steppedshoulder (53) which forms a seat for the switch member (50); and a thirdstepped shoulder (54) which forms a seat for one of a pair of insulatingwashers (55) (56) which are disposed on the interior and exterior of theswitch housing member (51), and dimensioned to receive an electricallyconductive contact element (57). in addition the contact element (57) isfurther provided with an enlarged head (58) which is disposedintermediate the switch member (50) and the first insulating washer (55)and projects through the second insulating washer for reasons that willbe explained shortly.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the power supply unit (14) comprises a pairof battery members (60)(61) disposed within an insulating sleeve element(62) which electrically insulates the power supply unit (14) from thebrass casing member (20); wherein, the sleeve element (62) is disposedwithin a second enlarged chamber (25) within the casing member (20).

As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the laser generatingand focusing unit (15) comprises a laser emitting diode member (70)disposed within a hollow laser housing member (71) having a central borewith a restricted neck opening (72) disposed proximate to, but spacedfrom, the inboard end (73) of the laser housing member (71) which isdisposed in a abutting relationship with the outboard end of theinsulated sleeve element (62) of the power supply unit (14).

In addition, the outer end (74) of the laser housing unit (71) isprovided with a collimating lens (75) which will focus the output of thelaser emitting diode member (70). The intermediate portion of theexternal surface of the laser housing member (71) is provided with aperipheral recess (76) which is designed to accommodate the crimpedoutboard end (27) of the casing member (20) to secure the lasergenerating and focusing unit (15) to the cartridge base unit (11); and,the inboard end (73) of the laser housing member (71) is provided with astepped shoulder (77) which serves as a bearing surface for a peripheralportion of the laser emitting diode (70) to rest against under theinfluence of a second spring biasing element (78) which is disposedintermediate the power supply unit (14) and the laser emitting diodemember (70).

Turning now to FIGS. 6 through 9 it can be seen that the second springbearing element (78) bears against an outwardly projecting shoulder (79)of the laser emitting diode (70); wherein, the inboard end of the laseremitting diode (70) is provided with an electrical contact tang (79'),an insulating washer (79"), and a plurality of rearwardly extendingelectrical contacts (80) which are dimensioned to engage the powersource unit (14) upon actuation of the firing pin impact unit (12) aswill be described in greater detail presently.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cartridge (10) of this invention is intended tobe employed in a conventional firearm (100) within a range of calibersthat encompasses 0.357, 38 and 9 mm calibers; wherein the cartridge (10)is inserted into the firearm (100) in the conventional manner. When thetrigger mechanism (101) of the firearm (100) is pulled, the firing pin(102) will contact the firing pin impact member (40) to overcome theresistance of the first spring biasing element (44) causing the firingpin impact member (40) to depress the switch member (50), and bring theswitch member (50) into contact with the electrically conductive contactelement (57) which subsequently engages the batteries (60)(61) thenprovide current to the laser emitting diode (70) which projects aninfrared light through the collimating lens (75); wherein, the focusedbeam of light travels down the bore (103) of the barrel (104) of thefirearm (100) and is projected onto a screen (200) disposed at a remotelocation for the reasons that have been outlined previously.

In addition, the electrical contact tang (79') on the laser emittingdiode (70) is in electrical contact with the conductive laser housingmember (71); wherein the electrical current passes through the laserhousing member (71) back through the conductive cartridge casing member(20) and the conductive switch housing member (51 ) to the switch member(50) to complete the electrical circuit. The duration of the light beamthat is generated by this process is governed by the retraction strengthof the first spring biasing element (44) and the spring coefficient ofthe switch member (50); and, the light beam duration of preferably 30milliseconds can be adjusted by the rotation of the threaded switchhousing member (51) within the interior of the complimentary threadedportion of the casing member (20).

At this juncture it should be appreciated that the cartridge (10) thatforms the basis of this invention has been specifically designed anddimensioned so that one such cartridge can be interchangeably deployedin a variety of firearms covering the range of 0.357, .38 and 9 mmcalibers.

Furthermore, the laser emitting diode (70) of this inventionspecifically comprises an 860 manometer low level infrared lightemitting diode which does not require a special Federal license for usesuch is required in at least one prior art device. In addition thefiring pin impact member (40) and associated components are designed toaccommodate both the relatively short firing pin throw of asemi-automatic firearm, such as a 9 mm of 10/1000 ths of an inch in a0.357 revolver.

It should also be noted that the switch member (50) in the preferredembodiment of the invention comprises a very thin Belville spring diskelement.

Having thereby described the subject matter of the present invention, itshould be apparent that many substitutions, modifications and variationsof the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It istherefore to be understood that the invention as taught and describedherein is only to be limited to the extent of the breadth and scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A laser firing cartridge for use in firearms wherein thecartridge comprises:a hollow cartridge casing member having a variablediametric longitudinal bore extending therethrough wherein saidlongitudinal bore includes: a reduced diametric throat opening formed onone end of said cartridge casing member; and a first enlarged chamberdisposed proximate to said reduced diameter throat opening a firing pinimpact unit at least partially disposed within said hollow cartridgecasing member and including: a firing pin impact member having a neckportion formed on one end and dimensioned to be received in the reduceddiameter throat opening in the casing member, and a first spring elementoperatively associated with the other end of the firing pin impactmember; a switch unit disposed within the first enlarged chamber of thecasing member and including: a hollow switch housing member movablydisposed within the first enlarged chamber in the casing member, aswitch member disposed within the switch housing member and operativelyengaged with said first spring element; and, an electrically conductivecontact element at least partially disposed within said switch housingmember at a location normally spaced from said switch member; wherein, aportion of said contact element extends outwardly from said switchhousing member; a power supply unit disposed within said casing memberwherein one end of said power supply unit is operably engaged with saidcontact element; and, a laser generating and focusing unit operativelyattached to the other end of said casing member and including: a laserhousing unit; a laser generating diode disposed proximate one end of thelaser housing unit and engageable with said power supply unit; and, acollimating lens disposed on the other end of the laser housing memberat a location spaced from said laser emitting diode.
 2. The cartridge asin claim 1; wherein, said switch member comprises a spring washerelement.
 3. The cartridge as in claim 1; wherein, said power supply unitcomprises:a hollow insulated sleeve element dimensioned to be receivedwithin the interior of said hollow casing member; and, at least onebattery disposed within said hollow insulated sleeve element.
 4. Thecartridge as in claim 3; wherein, said switch housing member iselectrically conductive and said conductive contact element is providedwith at least one insulated washer that electrically insulates saidcontact element from said switch housing member.
 5. The cartridge as inclaim 4; further including a second spring element operatively disposedintermediate said power supply unit and the laser generating diode. 6.The cartridge as in claim 5; wherein, the laser emitting diode isprovided with an outwardly projecting shoulder and one end of saidsecond spring element bears against said outwardly projecting shoulder.7. The cartridge as in claim 6; wherein, the outwardly projectingshoulder on the laser emitting diode is further provided with anelectrical contact tang which contacts the laser housing member.
 8. Asingle multi-caliber laser firing cartridge for use in a variety ofconventional firearms having calibers ranging from 0.357 to 9 mm;wherein, the cartridge comprises:a hollow cartridge casing member; afiring pin impact member at least partially disposed in said casingmember; a switch unit disposed within said casing member adjacent tosaid firing pin impact member and including: a hollow switch housingmember; a switch member disposed within said switch housing member;means for adjustably positioning the switch housing member within saidcasing member; a power supply unit disposed within said casing member inclose proximity to said switch housing member; electrical contact meansdisposed intermediate the switch member and the power supply unit forestablishing an electrical connection between the switch member and thepower supply unit; and, a laser generating and focusing unit operativelyassociated with the casing member and the power supply unit; wherein,the laser generating and focusing unit includes: a laser housing unit; alaser generating diode; and, a collimating lens.
 9. The cartridge as inclaim 8; wherein, the means for adjustably positioning the switchhousing comprises a threaded engagement between the switch housing unitand the interior of said hollow casing member.
 10. The cartridge as inclaim 8, further comprising:a first spring element operatively disposedintermediate the firing pin impact member and the switch member.
 11. Thecartridge as in claim 10; further comprising;a second spring elementoperatively disposed intermediate the power supply unit and the lasergenerating diode.
 12. The cartridge as in claim 11; wherein, said powersupply unit comprises:an insulated sleeve element disposed in the casingmember; and, at least one battery disposed within the insulated sleeveelement.
 13. The cartridge as in claim 12; wherein, the switch membercomprises a spring washer element.